FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Pro-abortion campaign launders $620K to state Democrats to get candidate discount on Prop 1 ads
BOISE, Idaho — The Proposition 1 campaign to radically expand abortion in Idaho and the Idaho Democratic Party are colluding to fraudulently get cheaper rates for a new TV ad running on Idaho stations.
The ad carries the disclaimer that it’s paid for by Idaho Democrats and authorized by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terri Pickens. But it is solely a Prop 1 ad, using Prop 1’s logo and messaging, with no mention of Pickens or the Democratic Party. Idaho Secretary of State records show that the money for the ad, more than $620,000, came from the Prop 1 campaign and was funneled to the Idaho Democratic Party.
Why the subterfuge? Because political parties and individual candidates pay dramatically lower rates, sometimes as much as a 70 percent discount, for ads than issue campaigns – such as Prop 1 and Stop Prop 1 – do.
On Oct. 16 and Oct. 20, Idahoans United for Women and Families – the PAC behind Prop 1 – gave $245,500 and $375,000 respectively, a total of $620,500, to the Idaho State Democratic Party.
On Oct. 20, Idaho Democrats paid $371,246 to Screen Strategies Media, the same media buyer and placement firm the Prop 1 campaign uses. In its campaign finance filing with the Idaho Secretary of State, the Idaho Democrats noted that the media buy was in support of Prop 1. Despite being an issue ad which should have been charged the full rate, the Democrats paid only the discounted rate.
As for Terri Pickens’ campaign authorizing the ad, the content of the ad has nothing to do with the candidate. Nor could it, as the candidate can only accept $5,000 from any given individual or entity. The $620,500 donation far eclipses the $5,000 limit to candidates, creating a potential campaign finance violation.
Stop Prop 1 has sent letters to the general managers of Idaho’s TV stations urging them to stop airing the ad and require that the full ad rate be charged and paid. The letter, with supporting documents, is attached. The ad can be viewed here.
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